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Arrest drivers charging unapproved fares – Transport Ministry to Police
The Ministry of Transport has directed the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies to look out for any commercial driver who has resorted to charging new transport fares outside the existing one, thereby, putting undue burden on commuters.
In a press statement signed by its Public Relations Unit and released in Accra on Sunday, April 14, 2024, the Ministry revealed that negotiations for new public transport fares are still ongoing with the Road Transport Operators following the recent increase in fuel prices and other related operational cost.
“The Ministry is urging the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies to be on the lookout for any driver who goes contrary to the directive issued by the GPRTU and the GRTCC”, part of the statement read.
It will be recalled that on Thursday, April 11, 2024, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) of TUC and the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) in a joint statement issued in Accra urged commuters not to pay any additional transport fares outside the existing fares.
“We are currently engaging stakeholders to consider the various cost components and agree on the way forward. As has been the practice, the leadership met with the Ministry of Transport on Wednesday 10th April, 2024, to present our demands. Once consensus is reached, the general public will be duly informed”, the statement in part read.
On Monday, April 8, 2024, two transport operating groups, the Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana (C-DAG) and the Transport Operators of Ghana, jointly announced a 15% increase in transport fares effective Saturday, April 13, 2024.
They cited the recent increment in fuel prices and the government’s seeming indifference regarding any reduction in the price of petrol as well as the cost of vehicle spare parts and lubricants to buttress their decision.
